Tuesday, November 11, 2008 Road to London starts from Davao By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
THE country's long, long journey for the London Olympics and its quest for a first-ever gold in the quadrennial meet could start and come from Southern Mindanao.
Using this as their battlecry, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, North Cotabato Vice Governor Emmanuel Piñol and the rest of Southern Mindanao's boxing stakeholders have joined forces in an effort to achieve such feat and put the Philippines in the world amateur boxing map.
"From now on, remember these words. The country's first Olympic gold will come from Southern Mindanao," Piñol boldly declared during a consultative meeting called by Ramirez Saturday at Dencia's Restaurant.
Piñol, one of the country's staunch supporters of boxing, said he was just repeating the rallying cry by Davao City Councilor Peter T. Laviña earlier in the meeting that Southern Mindanao will produce the country's first-ever Olympic gold.
"We are consolidating forces for us to realize our Olympic dream," Piñol said.
Ramirez called the meeting to hear from stakeholders their sentiments and positions with regard to the change of the recent Abap national leadership, where Ricky Vargas was installed as the new president. Ramirez was named Abap Board of Trustees representing Southern Mindanao.
During the meeting, Piñol proposed to Ramirez to make Abap Southern Mindanao for a much more extensive coverage which is important in gathering bigger resources.
Aside from Piñol, all the major stakeholders were present during the meeting, including a representative from former congressman Tonyboy Floirendo's highly successful Barangay Una boxing program.
Ramirez was elated with the all-out support that he received. Also in attendance were Davao City councilors Louie Villafuerte and Edgar Ibuyan, Davao Oriental board member Eric Rabat, Davao Oriental businessman Louie Malanyaon, Davao del Norte's Silvino Matibato Jr. and Davao del Sur's Ferdinand Parker.
"We still have four years before the London Olympics. If we can capitalize on our national champions who are only 15 or 17 years old now, just like what North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol said, we can even shoot for the gold in 2012," Ramirez said.
"I'm willing to stake my life here," added Ramirez in underscoring his desire to win the Olympic gold in London in 2012.
Piñol also announced during the meeting the holding of the Southern Mindanao Boxing Team Championship next year, a monthly slugfest that will be televised to generate funds to support the program.
"Without tournaments, boxing will die and we can't discover (new) talents," Piñol said.
